Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan.
A Not so Simple Wish
by Ebiris (danielmcdonagh@hotmail.com)

Chapter 10

"Do you have a picture of Ranma that we could look at?" Nabiki asked the large martial
artist that was guzzling down sake with her father as they celebrated the imminent union
of the schools.

"Eh?" Genma took a moment to process the question in his alcohol fogged mind. "Oh,
picture. Of Ranma... sure..." he rooted through his pack and retrieved a photograph,
handing it to the girls to see "It's about a year old. Ranma's a bit taller than that now..."
He then went back to getting drunk with his old buddy, Soun.

"Hey, he is pretty handsome." Nabiki commented, maybe this engagement wouldn't be so
bad after all. Provided of course that Ranko hadn't killed the poor guy or something...

"He's passable." Akane shrugged noncommitaly. Heck, Kuno was fairly handsome and
look at him! Though in fairness, Akane doubted Ranma (or anyone) could possibly be as
messed up as Nerima's favourite samurai.

"Oh my, Mrs Saotome must be very beautiful." Kasumi said in her usual oblivious tone,
causing Nabiki to snicker loudly at the backhanded insult towards their guest. Akane just
looked confused.

"So, how are we going to decide which of us is going to marry Ranma?" Nabiki changed
the subject.

Akane snorted "Arranged marriages went out with the Shogunate, even if he was the
greatest guy in the world I'd refuse out of principal. How about whichever of you two
marries him gives the dojo to me since I'm the heir to the school?" She added the last part
while making cute sparkly eyes at her two beloved big sisters.

Neither of them fell for it. "Fat chance Akane. If I marry him - which I haven't decided
yet - I'm keeping the house." Nabiki said.

"Only as long as it takes to sell it." Kasumi finished for her "If anyone should inherit this
place it should be me. I am the eldest after all. Provided Ranma isn't a horrible person, I'll
be willing to marry him."

"Don't count me out yet, sis. Let's wait till he shows up before we decide, after all, doesn't
Ranma have a say in this too?" Nabiki returned cooly.

Kasumi levelled a flat stare at Nabiki, before including Akane in her gaze "Be serious. If
he has a choice between the three of us, just which one do you think he'll pick?" Kasumi
made a show of looking each of her sisters over and finding them wanting.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Akane yelled angrily.

Someone who didn't know the eldest Tendou daughter would swear that she smirked at
that question, but of course Kasumi never smirks. No, she gave a serene smile filled with
peace and familial love. "I only asked the question. You answered it, little sister."

"I... uh... hey!...you... er... Shut up!" Akane huffed petulantly and crossed her arms in a
sulking position.

Nabiki just remained silent. There was no reasoning with Kasumi when she was in one of
her moods, and arguing would just result in the eldest taking her frustrations out by
doing things like serving smaller portions of food and putting a red sock in with the white
laundry. Kasumi had a long memory for things like that.

***

Ranma was feeling rather guilty as he walked to the Tendou dojo with his mother and
alleged fiancee. Nodoka was tightlipped and the perfect picture of stoic control, while
Ranko looked like her world had fallen apart as she trudged along with her head down,
only speaking up to give directions to Nodoka.

Maybe he had been a little harsh by yelling at her like that, but it was hardly his fault the
poor girl was so overwhelmed by his natural studliness and couldn't handle a mild
rebuking. Anyone would be surprised at finding out he had several potential fiancees! It
wasn't like he meant to hurt her feelings or anything, girls were just too sensitive about
stuff like that. Still, she had been really nice to him, so it wouldn't hurt to apologise or
something. Besides, her sulking was starting to become irritating, she was much better
company when cheerful.

"Hey Ranko?"

"Yes?" Said girl looked up to eye Ranma curiously, hiding her annoyance at being
distracted from trying to come up with a plan to salvage her situation.

"Well... I just wanted ta..." Ranma unconsciously started fiddling with his pigtail as he
fumbled for words "Y'know... er..."

Ranko blinked. She knew exactly what that kind of fumbling meant; he was trying to
apologise to her! And she hadn't even done anything wrong really, which meant she must
have made a really strong impression on him. Seeing an opportunity to score major
points, she interrupted his cack handed attempt at apologising "Ranma..." she bit her lip
and looked away blushing "I'm really sorry about not telling you we were engaged... I
just didn't want to pressure you." She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed
tears (while she hated anyone seeing her crying genuinely, she had no compunction
against shedding a few artful tears for the greater good) "Can you forgive me?"

Phew, saved! Thought Ranma cheerfuly "Aw, t'weren't nothin' Ranko, I don't mind." He
smiled down at her.

Sniff "I'm glad." Ranko gave Ranma a happy smile and walked on with her head held
high.

Ahead of the two, Nodoka grinned widely to herself. Those two would be married in no
time at this rate, and then she'd have lots and lots of grandchildren to fuss over. She'd
been without a family for too long, but now things were looking up for the Saotome
matriarch.

***

"Maybe that's Ranma?" Nabiki asked her sisters as there was a knock at the front door.

"Yesshh, I knew dat boy'd know whash gud for 'im and come 'ere to marry Soun's
daughtersh... Ain't that right Tendou?" Genma drunkenly clapped a hand on his friends
shoulder as he tried to recall if he had actually given the Tendou's address to Ranma.

"Now the schools will be joined! Go and marry him girls, make daddy proud!" Soun
waved victory fans as he encouraged his daughters, likewise drunkenly, albeit slightly
less so than Genma.

Kasumi shook her head at their antics as she went to answer the door, "Welcome to the
Tendou dojo." she greeted the trio, recognising Ranko from last month as well as Ranma
from the picture Genma had shown them. The older woman was a mystery to her though.

Nodoka bowed "Hello, I am Nodoka Saotome. Is my husband Genma here?"

"Oh, you're Saotome-san's wife? Come in, come in." Kasumi ushered them in, looking
forward to the fireworks when Nodoka saw her husband was drunk as a skunk. The fact
that the dojo destroyer girl from last month was here also promised an interesting
evening.

Nodoka spotted Genma as soon as they entered the foyer "Husband, what's this I hear
about you arranging a marriage for Ranma?"

Genma blinked owlishly at his wife "No-chan? The boysh gotta marry Tendou's
daughters to carry on the schoolsh... an' that'll prove he'sh manly so you don' haveta kill
us!"

Ranko and Nodoka groaned while everyone else blinked at Genma's statement. "That's
hardly an issue, dearest." Nodoka said in a measured tone "Now will someone explain to
me what this arrangement with the Tendou's is about? I had already made arrangements
for Ranma to marry Ranko-chan here." She indicated the redhead who grinned cockily at
the Tendous.

This threat to the joining of the schools finally roused Soun, who had fallen into an
alcohol induced slumber "Ranma will marry one of my daughters!" The Tendou
patriarch roared, his head expanding to several times it's normal size while flames burned
in his eyes and his tongue lolled out several feet. Then he spotted Ranko discretely
holding what looked like a small spherical firecracker and smiling at him in a most
unnerving manner, causing him to go "Eeeep!" and hide behind Kasumi.

Everyone looked around to see what had upset Soun so much, but Ranko had already
hidden the Happodaikarin and looked far too cute and innocent to be viewed with
suspicion by any right thinking individual.

"What did you do to my dad?" Akane yelled furiously, pointing at Ranko.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ranko sniffed haughtily, "He's probably just
seeing things from being so drunk. Honestly, who'd want anything to do with an
alcoholic like that."

Soun started sobbing pathetically "Don't be so cruel! I drink to forget the pain!" he
dissolved into wretched sniffles.

Kasumi heaved a put upon sigh "Akane, would you take father to bed. Maybe then we
can discuss this like adults?"

Akane nodded as she hefted her father up by the shoulders and dragged him to his room.
"You still love daddy, don't you Akane?" He asked as he was put to bed.

"Sure, whatever..." Akane said, not really paying attention as she returned to the foyer,
ignoring the fresh bout of wailing that came from Soun's room. Once she was back in the
room, introductions were made between the Tendous and Nodoka.

"Okay then, now Genma... huh? Where'd Genma go?" Nodoka looked around,
wondering where her husband had vanished off to.

Everyone else just stared at the large indiginous Chinese mammal which was playing
with a tire and holding a sign saying [I'm just a cute panda!] Genma having lost his
courage after Soun was taken out of the discussion.

"Pop, you sure are pathetic." Ranma grumbled as he kicked his ursine father and
splashed a handy cup of still warm tea on the panda.

Nodoka then did what the Tendous had done earlier and fainted.

Ranko just stood there until she noticed Ranma and the Tendou sisters were staring at
her expectantly. "Oh my god! That panda turned into a man, I have never seen such a
thing!" She cried out in mock shock. Everyone then nodded, seemingly satisfied with her
reaction.

Since everyone was just standing around awkwardly, Ranko took it upon herself to tap a
few pressure points on Nodoka to revive her.

"Oh, I could have sworn I saw a panda turn into my husband..." Nodoka muttered as she
got up.

Ahem "Yes well..." Genma made use of a little known martial arts trick to sober up
quickly - after all, his cushy retirement at the Tendou dojo was being threatened! "Soun
and I decided that the two schools of anything goes martial arts would be joined by the
marriage of Ranma to one of his daughters." He put on his best stern face "It is a matter
of honour!"

"Well why didn't you ever tell me, dearest? I'd already made arrangements for Ranma to
marry Ranko-chan." Nodoka sighed and tried to work out a crink in her neck from when
she fainted "Can I see the contract of betrothal you made with Soun?"

Genma looked thoughtful for a moment before saying "I don't have one, it's a verbal
agreement. But Ranma must marry a Tendou!"

"But I've already signed a contract of bethrothal with Ranko!" Nodoka fretted, wringing
her hands in frustration.

"We went to the temple so it was signed on holy ground." Ranko piped up helpfuly,
earning a glare from Genma, which she returned with equal force.

"Well, who do you want to marry, Ranma?" Nodoka turned to her son, who started at
finally being included in the conversation.

"I dunno, I just met all these girls! I'm too young ta get married anyway!"

"Right, and which of you girls wants to marry my son?" Nodoka looked at the four
young ladies in attendance, completely dismissing Ranma's concerns about getting
married too early.

The three Tendou sisters formed a huddle to discuss this amongst themselves. Akane was
still adamantly against the whole thing, while Nabiki had decided to waive her claim
since she didn't want to get on Ranko's bad side. After a moment, Kasumi stepped
forward and said "I would be willing to marry Ranma-kun to meet the demands of
honour for my family."

Nodoka smiled. Kasumi seemed like a very nice girl, though she still hoped things would
work out between her son and Ranko-chan. "And you aren't going to give up are you,
Ranko-chan?" She asked the redhead.

"I don't want to force Ranma into anything," Ranko said, now knowing better than to
push things too fast "but I think I'd like to marry him if he'll have me..." she looked down
shyly and traced patterns on the floor with her foot.

Nodoka clapped joyfully "Then it's settled. Ranma, you may date them both!"

***

Chapter 11

Ranma sputtered incoherently at his mother's declaration for a moment before he found
his voice "You want me to two time them?!" Sure, he knew he was practically the
epitome of manliness, but he'd never actually had a girlfriend before! Now his mother
tells him to two time his alleged fiancees?

Nodoka noticed both Kasumi and Ranko were looking rather miffed (although Ranko's
expression seemed a lot more accepting, as if it was just one of those distasteful things
that she had gotten used to) and realised her words hadn't been especially well chosen.
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that!" she waved her hands in a placating gesture "I just
thought that since you need to get to know them both before making a decision, dating
them seems the best way to do that, right?"

"But Ranma shouldn't be dating that girl at all!" Genma pointed accusingly at Ranko,
who scowled back "Ranma has to marry one of Soun's daughters to carry on the dojo!"
And provide for me in my cushy retirement, although that thought was left unspoken.

"Why the hell would I want to carry on this worthless dojo anyway? They lost their sign
to a girl!" Ranma indicated Ranko, who was torn between puffing up at her triumph, or
getting upset at Ranma's casual dismissal of her skills.

"Hey!" Yelled all three Tendous, taking exception to Ranma's description of their dojo as
'worthless'.

All colour drained from Genma's face "What?" he asked hoarsely, visions of his peaceful
life of drinking beer and playing shogi with Soun while Ranma ran a successful dojo and
provided to his every need evaporated before him. Still, Genma is nothing if not good at
coming up with hare-brained plans. "Boy!" he pointed at his son, mustering up every
once of paternal presence he could "For the honour of the Anything Goes school of
martial arts, you must defeat that girl and recover the dojo sign!"

"Why the hell should I old man?!" Ranma yelled right back "I ain't no Tendou, if they
can't protect their sign, they don't deserve it!"

Ranko gave a silent cheer to Ranma showing some backbone, sparing a moment to regret
she hadn't done the same during that whole mess with the instant nannichuan and the
dojo destroyer.

"Dearest!" Nodoka cut in, sounding mortified "How can you even ask Ranma to attack
his fiancee?"

"Yeah, besides, she practices Anything Goes too, so it would hardly be 'for the honour of
the school' if I were to beat her." Ranma added, nodding at his own wisdom.

Ranko frowned slightly, but was able to force down the urge to disabuse him of the
notion that he would automatically win any fight between them, since that would only be
counterproductive. It was still getting pretty annoying though.

"What?" Genma peered at Ranko through his glasses "Who taught you, girl?" he asked
gruffly.

Ranko rolled back on her heels and adopted her most disgustingly cute 'golly mister,
won't you give me an extra scoop of icecream, please?' expression as she smiled
guilelessly at Genma "Grampa." she said simply.

"Your grandfather?" Genma furrowed his brow in puzzlement, wondering who on earth
she could be referring to.

"Uh huh." Ranko nodded cheerfuly "He's not really my grandfather, but I call him that
since he's just like one. His name's Happosai..." Genma blanched severely and started
making strangled choking noises, but Ranko continued prattling on as if she didn't notice
"He's so nice, and he just completely adores me! Why I bet he'd do anything for me if I
asked!"

Nodoka looked at Ranko in surprise "You know Happosai-sensei? But Dearest told me
he died just before he left with Ranma."

Ranko looked askance at Nodoka; there almost seemed to be some affection in her tone
when referring to the old letch. That was certainly unexpected "Yes, he disappeared just
after he started training me when I was little, but he came back fairly recently. He's out
of town now, but should be back in a few days."

"Wish he'd never come back. Tiny perverted bastard..." Nabiki grumbled quietly, still
bitter over her first meeting with the diminiutive grandmaster of Anything Goes.

"Boy!" Genma grabbed Ranma and started shaking him roughly, having regained a
modicum of courage upon hearing the Master was not in the immediate vicinity "You
have to marry Kasumi before the Master comes back! Do it for your old man! Take one
for the team, come on boy!" he pleaded desperately.

"Don't I feel special." Kasumi muttered bitterly, causing Akane to give her big sister a
concerned glance before marching up and grabbing Ranma.

"Hey, don't you know how lucky you are that Kasumi is agreeing to this engagement?
Are you trying to say my big sister isn't good enough for you or something?" She yelled
angrily.

Ranma was looking decidedly nonplussed at being shaken around by both his father and
this angry girl "I didn't ask for no fiancees dammit!" He yelled, working free of their
respective grasps "Mom, can we go home now? I don't wanna deal with this crap right
now."

Nodoka sighed. Her son was being annoyingly stubborn, but it was clear nothing was
going to get resolved tonight. "Very well, let's go. I'll be by for a chat tomorrow Kasumi-
chan, is that alright?" she smiled at the eldest Tendou daughter.

Kasumi nodded "Why don't you come round at lunchtime?"

"That sounds lovely, Kasumi-chan, I look forward to getting to know you better."
Nodoka said as she started to leave with Ranma before turning round "Aren't you
coming, Dearest?"

"Huh? But I was going to stay here..." Genma muttered petulantly.

Nodoka frowned "You can visit Soun whenever you like, but you are supposed to live
with me. Besides, now that your training journey is over you can get a job, it'll be nice to
have a decent income coming into the house."

Genma looked close to tears, but obediently followed his wife and child like a whipped
puppy.

"And take your floozy with you!" Akane called out to Ranma as she started pushing
Ranko towards the door.

"Hey! I resemble that remark!" Ranko protested as she allowed herself to be ushered out.

***

"...and now it turns out he's engaged to Kasumi!" Ranko related her tale of the previous
evening to Kodachi as the two drank tea in a small cafe near Ranko's apartment "I mean,
Akane I could handle, she's just an uncute tomboy..." Ranko was convieniently forgetting
the fact that she had a soft spot for Akane in her old life, but her Akane was way different
than this one anyway. I mean, she had short hair! "And Nabiki... well, she's pretty much
a bitch. But Kasumi? How the hell am I gonna compete with her?"

Kodachi smirked at her friend getting so worked up, it was really quite funny to see her
like this "Come now, don't sell yourself short. Any man would be lucky to have you." she
offered consolingly.

Ranko slumped in her seat "I dunno, 'Dachi... I mean, yeah we got off to a pretty good
start and all, but it's Kasumi! She's like... I dunno, the nicest girl in the world or
something."

"Niceness is highly overrated." Kodachi remarked drolly.

"Heh, shoulda figured you'd say somethin' like that." Ranko grinned, starting to lift her
spirits. After all, it was true that there had never been any sexual chemistry between
herself and Kasumi back when she had been Ranma.

"So, when am I going to meet this mysterious fiance of yours?" Kodachi asked while
indicating to the nearby waitress that she wanted a refill.

Ranko shrugged "He's supposed to be starting at Furinkan tomorrow. I'll bring him by
here after school. Just remember," she waggled her forefinger at Kodachi in a mock
reproving manner "he's my fiance and I've already got enough competition. Don't you be
getting any ideas about going after him."

Kodachi pouted "Oh poo, you're no fun at all."

***

Ranma was just leaving for school the next day, grumbling about having to wear a
uniform, when he spotted Kasumi standing outside his front gate. "Hey Kasumi, what are
you doin' here?" He greeted her as he walked over.

Kasumi smiled at him "Good morning Ranma-kun. As to why I am here..." she gave a
small sigh "Father felt it would be best if I were to walk my fiance to school."

Ranma, despite being rather dense and unobservant around women, still noticed Kasumi
seemed less than thrilled to be here. "We didn't really get much chance to talk the other
day, but I take it you're not too happy about this arranged marriage stuff?" he asked as
they started walking towards Furinkan.

"Well... it is a matter of honour, and neither of my sisters were willing..." Kasumi said
hesitantly.

Ranma nodded "I get it, so they just dumped it on you, huh?" he asked, hiding his
annoyance that the other two Tendous thought he wasn't good enough for them.

"Oh no, it's not really like that!" Kasumi protested "I mean, I don't mind... and it's not
that Akane and Nabiki dislike you, Akane just has an objection towards anyone trying to
dictate her life, and Nabiki didn't want to get involved because of Ranko-chan."

Ranma eyed her suspiciously "And you don't mind your fiance already bein' engaged to
some other girl?"

Kasumi looked away "I'd be lying if I said that this is how I imagined my engagement to
turn out... still, perhaps your mother was right when she said we should just get to know
one another and see how things turn out, without having to worry about who has the
more valid claim."

"I guess so... I don't really want ta get married just yet, but I wouldn't mind having a
girfriend. I just don't wanna lead anyone on though..."

"Well, just don't take too long in deciding then." Kasumi advised him before noticing
they were just coming up on her old high school "Here we are, Ranma-kun. I made you a
bento." she took a lunchbox from her handbag and gave it to Ranma.

"Thanks Kasumi!" Ranma gleefuly accepted the proffered food "Mom already made me
a lunch, but I'm a big eater."

"Just don't eat too much, I wouldn't want you to wind up like your father." Kasumi
giggled as she poked him in the ribs.

"Pop ain't fat, he's just big boned..." Ranma trailed off on noticing Kasumi's sceptical
expression "Aw heck, I don't believe it either, but it's what he always says."

Kasumi smiled, Ranma might be a little rough around the edges, but he was pretty good
company. "Have a nice day at school, Ranma-kun."

"Thanks Kasumi, I will. See ya later." He called to her retreating back. He then passed
the gates of Furinkan High. He had the feeling today was going to be a good day.

***

OMAKE THEATRE
(just this once, I couldn't resist)

Ranma sputtered incoherently at his mother's declaration for a moment before he found
his voice "You want me to two time them?!" Sure, he knew he was practically the
epitome of manliness, but he'd never actually had a girlfriend before! Now his mother
tells him to two time his prospective fiancees?

Nodoka snorted in a nonetheless ladylike manner "Hmph, don't be so vulgar. Kasumi, so
pure, so tidy. Ranko, bursting with healthy beauty. Both so dear, I can give up neither.
Do you call it deceit to openly wish them both?"

Ranma considered this for a moment before grinning "Heck no! I call it my just reward!
Come on girls, let's find somewhere private before we get to know each other better..."

Kasumi blushed, but her usual smile had aquired a decidedly lecherous quality "Oh my,
Ranma-kun! It's a good thing you have enough energy for us both. That's what I love
about you younger men..."

Ranko watched Ranma and Kasumi head off to the bedroom in shocked amazement
before shrugging. "Hell, I always was a bit of a narcissist anyway. Ranma! Wait for
me!" she called out while rushing after them, disrobing as she went.

***